A coalition of Harvard and Boston-area labor organizations passed out flyers around the entrances to Harvard Yard before Thursday’s Commencement ceremony began, urging attendees to call on the University to use endowment funds to protect non-tenure-track faculty.

The flyer and an associated webpage, linked with a QR code, called on recipients to email University administrators, including President Alan M. Garber ’76, with a variety of demands. They asked Garber to preserve faculty appointments for non-tenure-track faculty and protect research funding with money from the University’s endowment.

“I really worry that the institution’s not just spirit, but its legacy is threatened right now, not just by the federal funding cuts, but also by Harvard's own behavior, to choose not to save certain folks and save others,” Lisa Gulesserian, Harvard Academic Workers-United Auto Workers member, said.

On May 16, the Faculty of Arts and Sciences announced $250 million in funding for senior and tenure-track faculty whose grants were terminated.

“Post-doctoral scholars, our researchers, our staff scientists and even lab assistants — everybody who is in more contingent positions, less able to stay here long term, is the most vulnerable and is being helped the least,” Gulesserian said.

The flyers also encouraged increased support for international students and scholars, including facilitating remote access to research and classes and assisting with transfers and co-enrollment.

“A lot of our unit — Harvard Academic Workers — a lot of us came in on J-1 visas, also, that are affected by the visa revocation threat,” Gulesserian said.

The Thursday flyer distribution is supported by Higher Education Labor United, a national labor organization, and other Boston Area non-tenure-track faculty unions.

According to Gulesserian, following the Trump administration’s attempt to revoke Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visa Program certification, HELU expressed interest in organizing in support of the University.

“Higher education is under attack, and Harvard is the most visible victim at the moment, but it will affect all of us if we don't stop it,” Gulesserian said.

Correction: May 29, 2025

A previous version of this article misspelled Lisa Gulesserian’s surname on two references.

—Staff writer Hugo C. Chiasson can be reached at hugo.chiasson@thecrimson.com. Follow him on X @HugoChiassonn.

—Staff writer Stephanie Dragoi can be reached at stephanie.dragoi@thecrimson.com.